Hield Brings Camp Home to Eight Mile Rock

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GRAND BAHAMA – NBA star Buddy Hield is continuing his commitment to developing the next generation of Bahamian basketball players, with his foundation bringing its annual camp back to his native Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama.

The Buddy Hield Foundation has been hosting basketball camps and clinics throughout The Bahamas for 12 years, with the Grand Bahama camp remaining one of the highlights of Hield’s summer schedule.

The camp has previously been held at Eight Mile Rock High School, providing young players with an opportunity to develop their skills while learning from Hield and other coaches.

For Hield, the connection is particularly personal. He grew up in Eight Mile Rock before leaving The Bahamas to pursue his basketball dream, eventually reaching the NBA.

Now, he’s using that journey to show young Bahamians what is possible, while giving them the kind of guidance and opportunities he received along the way.

Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp

The Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp recently completed its 38th year, continuing a legacy that has helped shape generations of Bahamian basketball players.

Founded in 1987, the camp has become one of the country’s longest-running and most recognized youth basketball programmes, using the game not only to develop players, but also to teach character, discipline, teamwork and life skills.

One of the most significant developments in the camp’s evolution is that some of the young players who once learned the fundamentals from Jeff Rodgers are now returning to teach the next generation.

Former campers Mitch Johnson and Kino Burrows, both of whom went on to play professionally, are now part of the camp’s instructional staff.

It’s a full-circle moment for a programme that has produced and helped develop numerous Bahamian players.

The camp has also built a reputation for bringing some of the biggest names in basketball to The Bahamas.

This year, campers had the opportunity to learn from Bahamian basketball icon Mychal Thompson, a former NBA number-one overall draft pick and two-time NBA champion, along with NBA legend Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues.

Both Thompson and Bogues have been longtime friends of the camp, with Bogues having been involved over the years and the Thompson family making regular appearances.

For Rodgers, however, the camp has always been about more than producing basketball players.

It is about using basketball as a vehicle to help young people become better students, teammates, citizens and people. After 38 years, that message continues to resonate.

3×3 Basketball

The Bahamas’ Under-23 men’s and women’s basketball teams both captured gold medals at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation 3×3 Caribbean Cup in the Cayman Islands on Sunday.

It was a strong turnaround for both teams, with the Bahamian men and women each winning silver on day one before returning to claim gold on the second day of competition.

On the men’s side, coached by Marvin Henfield, The Bahamas defeated the host nation 21-14 in the gold medal match.

The Bahamians first defeated Jamaica 21-13 before suffering a narrow 21-20 loss to the Cayman Islands Hurricanes. They bounced back to defeat the Cayman Islands Storm, setting up their gold medal run.

The men’s team featured Stevachko Jacques, Michael Munnings, Woody Ching and Qui’Aundre Robinson.

On day one, the men opened with a 21-20 win over the Cayman Islands Storm and then defeated Jamaica 21-18, but fell 18-15 to the Cayman Islands Hurricanes in the gold medal game, settling for silver.

The women’s team, coached by Donillo “Donnie” Culmer, also turned a day-one silver into gold.

The Bahamian women defeated Jamaica 21-9 to advance to the gold medal game, where they dominated the Cayman Islands 21-7.

Earlier that day, The Bahamas had lost a close 14-12 decision to the host nation.

On day one, the women defeated Jamaica 14-4, but lost 19-9 to Cayman in the gold medal game.

The women’s team featured Shenell Stewart, Tania Kerr, Michelle Butler and Jada Francis.